II. The Blessed Virgin addressed her Son: "Son, why hast Thou done so to us?" (Luke ii. 48.) In this expression there was no complaint against His conduct but an amorous manifestation of her past sorrow and present happiness. Such was the expression of Christ to His Father: " My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt, xxvii. 46.) " Behold," continues the Virgin, "Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing." Observe her humility: she styles her spouse, though only the reputed father, the "father" of her divine Son. She names him first, though far unequal in dignity, to teach you to prefer others to yourself. They sought for Him sorrowing, and therefore they found Him; "for those who sow in tears shall reap in joy." (Ps. cxxv. 5.)
III. Consider the answer which Christ made to His blessed mother: "Did you not know that I must be about those things that are My Father's?" (Luke ii. 49.) A divine sentiment, and deserving of our continual recollection. We are to prefer, then, the service of God to every other affair whatever, and to every other service and duty. Frequently examine yourself, if you are occupied in the things that are your father's. If you are not, you are losing your time, and trifling with the best gift of a bountiful and just Providence.
FRIDAY.
Christ is Obedient to His Parents.— I
I. Our divine Model having now performed the will of His Father, notwithstanding His love of solitude, prayer, and the immediate worship of God in the temple, "went down with His parents, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them." (Luke ii. 51.) From this action we learn a very important lesson; viz., that the
